STATUS AND IMPACT OF JATKA CATCHING ON HILSA FISHERY IN THE MEGHNA RIVER AT HIZLA-MEHENDIGANJ REGION OF BANGLADESH

To contemplate the Jatka (juvenile Hilsa) catching and its ultimate effects on Hilsa fishery, twelve landing centers of Hizla-Mehendigonj segment Meghna river were surveyed from January to May for successive years (2004 2005). Both mechanized non-mechanized boats used catch using mainly Trammel net (45% catch) Purse seine (35% catch). The number in was increasing every year study area. maximum observed month April at 32.63 mt 2004 23.52 2005. daily by twenty ranged 203.3 481.6 kg 2004. Considering production (51,750 kg) 2004, probable after one would be 388.14 mt.